Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

For the third straight year, the Dodge City baseball team has opened KJCCC action with a series win, and for the second time in the last three seasons, they do so by sweeping the four-game series. The Conquistadors capped the four-game set with Pratt by taking both games on the road 13-9 in 12 innings and 7-1. 

The wins move the Conqs to 18-5 on the season and 4-0 in KJCCC action, while also marking the program's nine-straight win over Pratt. The Conqs have won 12 of the last 13 meetings with the Beavers. 

Up next the Conqs keep going with KJCCC action as they are set for a four-game slate against Seward County with two games in Liberal on Thursday, March 14th and then two games in Dodge City on Saturday, March 16th with action starting at 1:00 pm each day. 

Game 1 – Won 13-9 at Pratt (12 innings)
In what would prove to be a marathon of a contest it was early runs for both teams to open the day. The Conqs struck first as Cooper Schneider delivered a two-RBI single in the top of the first inning to give the Conqs the initial lead. Pratt answered with a solo home run in the bottom of the first but the Conqs countered with two more in the top of the second. In the bottom of the second Pratt would tally six taking the lead something they would hold onto until the seventh inning. The Conqs got two in the fourth and one in the fifth, while Pratt got a run in the fourth and fifth and led 9-7 entering the seventh. RBI singles by Nick Gray and Carter Olson in the top of the seventh evened the game at 9-9 and Conqs would work around two Pratt base runners in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings. Both teams would have opportunities to score throughout the extra innings, but it wouldn't be until the top of the 12th that more runs would be tallied as the Conqs broke through. With two outs Juan Rivera smacked a RBI double to give the Conqs the lead, Nick Mesquita followed with an RBI double, and Max Towchik then added an RBI single and the Conqs would ultimately score four to lead 13-9. The Conqs would shut the door on the contest in the bottom of the 12th to secure the 13-9 win. 

The game featured 30+ hits between the teams as the Conqs had 16 led by a pair of four-hit games. Rivera would go 4-5 with four runs scored, a double, a home run, four stolen bases, and four RBI. While, Schneider was 4-7 with a run scored, two RBI, two stolen bases, and a double. Mesquita, Towchik, and Nick Gray each had two hits. 

Gray who started the game in left field tossed the final five innings without surrendering a run and giving up just two hits and a hit batter, while striking out three to earn the win in relief. 

Game 2 – Won 7-1 at Pratt
The series finale was the Brian Hallum show as he stymied the Pratt bats throughout the action tossing six scoreless at the starter for the Conqs. In the top of the second, the Conqs took the lead with a run and then added another in the top of the fourth on an RBI single by Peter Tassler. The top of the fifth saw the Conqs take firm control of the game plating four runs highlighted by an RBI single by Tate Blasi, a two-run home run by Towchik, and a Tassler RBI single. Conqs added another run in the top of the sixth for good measure while Pratt did scratch a run across in the seventh but the Conqs secured the 7-1 victory and series sweep. 

Hallum was stout on the mound tossing six scoreless innings giving up just three hits and two walks, while striking out 10. 

At the plate, Schneider, Blasi, and Tassler each had a multi-hit game. Schneider finished 2-2 with a run scored, a double, a stolen base, and two walks, while Blasi was 2-4 with a run scored, a double, and an RBI. Tassler finished 2-3 with two RBI and a walk.